Aiuto di erbe per Hay Fever, Polvere e Pet allergici

Guida di erbe per Hayfever, Polvere & Pet Allergy Sufferers

Herbal medicine has been around for a long time. People have been using herbs & plants to cure illness since the Palaeolithic era, according to archaeological evidence. That’s around 60,000 anni fa. Today, plenty of modern medicines – the World Health Organization (WHO) says a quarter of drugs now in use in America – are derived from plants. WHO also estimates that 80 percent of the population of some Asian and African countries currently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care.

There are many options for you to pursue if you want to explore using herbal help for hayfever. Before you do, though, you should bear these things in mind:

“natural” doesn’t necessarily mean “safe” – or even “harmless”. Il Sito NHS warns that herbal medicines “should be used with the same care & respect as pharmaceutical medicines”

BUPA’s website says “Herbal remedies contain active ingredients and may interact with other medicines or cause side-effects. Don’t start taking any herbal remedies without speaking to your GP or pharmacist first. It’s also important not to stop taking any prescribed medicine without speaking to your GP, and not to exceed the recommended dose of herbal medicines.”

Clinical trials of herbal medicines are extremely rare. This means that evidence of the effectiveness of using herbal help for hayfever is also extremely rare

Check that any product you buy has either the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) logo or a product licence number displayed on it

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Just because there is no evidence that herbal remedies work for hayfever doesn’t mean they don’t work. It just means no-one can prove they do – or don’t

Checking out herbal help for hayfever

OK, so much for the health warnings. What about the herbs?

Plants & Herbs that may help with hayfever

There are many plants, herbs and components of plants and herbs that may help with hayfever or pet or dust allergy. Here are some of those most commonly suggested:

Aloe Vera has mild antihistamine properties. It also promotes digestion and helps to clear skin problems. You can drink the juice diluted in water. Used externally as a gel it cools and soothes allergic skin rashes and itchy skin.

Butterbur is a herbal extract believed to have an antihistamine-like effect on hay fever symptoms. La 2005 medical study found that butterbur was as effective as antihistamines in treating hay fever symptoms. Tuttavia, people allergic to ragweed or chrysanthemum should avoid butterbur and it should be consumed carefully as it can cause indigestion, stanchezza, vomiting or constipation. Butterbur extract is available in capsules from a wide range of online sources.

Calendula and Camomiletea are both reputed to relieve hayfever symptoms. Some herbalists suggest smearing camomile and lemon oil on a tissue and inhaling.

Ginger, Peppermint and Green tea are all said to reduce hay fever symptoms. Ginger and green tea work as natural anti-histamines whilst peppermint reduces congestion.

Ginkgo biloba è pensato per limitare la risposta del corpo agli allergeni, mentre anche aumentando i livelli di energia e la circolazione. It is available in most health food shops and is usually taken in capsules.

Miele is not a herb or a plant but so many people find it beneficial we felt it had earned its place in the list. Eating locally-produced honey regularly throughout the year may help in building up the body’s immunity, thereby reducing your over-reaction to pollen when it’s released. For this to work, the honey must be very local to you.

Horseradish is a pungent root vegetable which acts as a decongestant, helping to clear nasal passages. Grated fresh horseradish root adds a great kick to roast meats and vegetables.

Liquorice root can ease inflammation and redness in the nose and is also believed to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that can help boost the body’s immune response to hay fever, polvere e pet allergie. It can be drunk as a herbal tea.

Ortica is available in capsule form from health food retailers, some supermarkets and online. The recommended dose is two 300mg capsules daily, to be taken when you experience symptoms. It can also be drunk as an infusion or made into soup. To make nettle soup, pick only the tender young leaves at the tip of the plant in early spring, after which the leaves become coarse. Recipes can be found online.

Quercetina is thought to limit the release of histamine. As well as being found naturally in many foods (Wikipedia lists 30, with raw and canned capers at the top) it can also be taken in a capsule. The recommended dose is 250-600mg per day, taken 5-10 minutes before meals. NB Quercetin is not recommended during pregnancy.

Turmeric Commonly used in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine, turmeric is a spice containing curcumin, which has been found to have anti-allergy properties. Most often used in dried form, it can also be bought fresh. It looks similar to ginger root. Put on your rubber gloves (it stains!), peel a section and grate, then add about two teaspoons to rice dishes, stir-fries or soups. Or anything else you fancy.

Reporting adverse reactions

You can report adverse reactions to any medicines, herbal or otherwise, via the government’s Yellow Card scheme. Follow this link https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

Lavanda– The most versatile oil. Calming and relaxing it combats stress and crisis. Antiseptic properties help kill off cold and flu-like symptoms and other ailments. Has a healing effect on the skin and the mind and body. Can also be used to clean wounds and treat burns. Blends well with geranium and lemon.

Finding an Aromatherapist

Contact the

Register of Qualified Aromatherapists

A professional association of aromatherapy practitioners who have undergone training of the highest standards. Send a SAE to their postal address or call on the number below to find an aromatherapist in your area.

Geranium– an uplifting oil, geranium has an all-over balancing effect on the mind and body. It helps to relieve feelings of stress and anxiety and also has a balancing effect on the hormone system. Blends well with lavender.

Eucalyptus– eucalyptus oil has a cooling and deodorizing effect on the body. It is particularly helpful in clearing respiratory problems and with coughs and colds, and hay fever. Also helps with throat infections, sinusitis and catarrhal conditions. It soothes inflammation and eases mucus, clearing the head from the stuffiness of colds and hay fever. It helps to clear the mind and focus concentration. Blends well with lavender and lemon.

Tea Tree oil is very important in the health of the immune system. It helps the body to fight off infections. Can also help ease nasal congestion. Blends well with geranium, lavender and lemon.